He shook his head. “Not really. More like lovers who never loved.”

“A simpler life is better,” Lulah said.

Ramus glanced up, but it seemed that she had already said enough. He did not want to push her. They had a long way to go, and plenty of time for talk.

“You're sure about this?” Ramus asked.

“About a simple life?” Her eye glittered with defiance, as though he had issued a challenge.

“No, no. About this. Coming with me instead of staying with your friends.”

Lulah shook her head. “I don't have friends. I like my own company. Voyaging with you may be the next best thing.”

“I will pay you,” Ramus said, the lie burning still.

“I believe you.”

“After what you heard back there? I'm surprised you can trust Nomi or me.”

“I said I believe you. I don't trust anyone.” Lulah knelt beside Ramus and started looking at the map. She pointed to a spot southeast of Long Marrakash, where two valleys met and the hills faded away toward the Pavissia Steppes. “So we're here?”

“Near enough,” Ramus said. He picked up a small twig and leaned over the map. “We've just come down this valley. Maybe five miles to go until we reach the beginning of the plains, and then thirty more until the border.”

“It's guarded,” Lulah said. “We'll get news from the guards about any recent marauder activity, and that should help us plan a route.”

Ramus nodded, his eyes drawn back the way they had just traveled, to the approximate location of last night's camp. He wondered whether the others were still there, eating breakfast or perhaps packing and preparing to set out. He thought not. Nomi was no fool, and she'd appreciate that the race was on.

He had already decided what to do. “We need to hang back.”

“What? Make your mind up.”

“We need an advantage. And I can't just have her think she drove me away.”

“Surely we're past all that?” Lulah asked.

“I need her to know I'm not beaten.”

Lulah shook her head and sighed.

“And it's not just about Nomi and me, I promise you,” Ramus said. “You don't know what we're going to find when we get to the Great Divide.”

“And you do?”

“I have a suspicion.”

“So why is it more important for us to get there before the others? Is it simply competition and revenge?”

“No,” he said. “It's a lot more than that.”

“Then tell me.”

He looked at the Serian, unnerved as ever by her single eye, her unwavering gaze. It was as if losing an eye had given the one remaining twice the intensity, melting through his skin and seeing the dark heart of him.

“I can't,” he said. He expected protestations, but Lulah simply shrugged.

“Maybe later,” she said. “But you won't be able to do anything to Nomi, not with Beko and the others guarding her.”

“I don't want to do anything to Nomi.”

“Really?”